Action on the Nanticoke River at previous Recycled Cardboard Boat Regattas. The family-fun event is sponsored by DNREC, the Town of Blades and others including the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Delaware Nature Society, and the Nanticoke River Yacht Club. /DNREC image

Competitors of All Ages and Seaworthiness Sought for Aug. 5
Eighth Annual DNREC-Sponsored Family Fun Event in Blades

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that the eighth annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta will be held Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park in Blades. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship encourages participants to register early and launch their boat-building efforts for a head start on what’s sure to be a creatively-designed flotilla of recycled cardboard regatta competition.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is a fun family event presented by the Town of Blades in conjunction with the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River (ROR)-Nanticoke Series Program, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, Gallery 107, and the Nanticoke River Yacht Club. The fun family event begins with sign-in and walk-up registration at 11 a.m., followed by judging of boats’ appearances at noon, and races starting at 12:30 p.m.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is open to anyone who’s willing to build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it a short distance to the regatta finish line. First-place awards will be given for winners of races in five different categories: individual, youth (age 12 and under), teens (ages 13-18), family/friends, and organizations or businesses. Special awards will be given for “Pride of the Fleet,” “Most Whimsical Boat,” and “Team Spirit.” Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner, while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the “Most Dramatic Sinking!”

To receive an early-bird entry fee of $20 per boat, participants are encouraged to register their boats by Friday, July 21. After that date, registration will increase to $30, and participants can also register to enter the day of the event. Boats may be any size, shape or design, but must be made of recycled corrugated cardboard. Boats should be painted with multiple coats of latex paint. Boat decorations may be removed after judging, and prior to the race start.

Participants are encouraged to challenge other boats to face off in the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta for one-on-one bragging rights. After all the different categories of racing are completed, cardboard boat skippers may challenge other skippers and their boats to a race. There is a $5 fee for a challenge race to be paid by the challenger.

The event also includes grilled food, refreshments, and opportunities to learn from the ROR partnership about how to protect Delaware’s waterways. The ROR-Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops, and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and also helps connect the public to important information about water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

The ROR partnership also welcomes event sponsors, with proceeds going toward event costs, river restoration, and water quality education. Sponsorships begin at $50.

Registration, rules and other information about the event can be found at nanticokeriver.org/rcbr/.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Team competition is always intense in the recycled cardboard boat regatta sponsored by DNREC, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, the Town of Blades and other environmental partners/DNREC photo

The seventh annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta will cast off Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park, 26 North Market Street, Blades, after a two year absence. Sign in and registration begin at 11 a.m., with judging of boats’ appearances at noon, and races starting at 12:30 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 7.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta is presented by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Abbotts Mill Nature Center, and Town of Blades, as part of the Reclaim Our River (ROR) Program – Nanticoke Series. The event is open to anyone who can build a cardboard boat.

Boats may be any size, shape, or design, but must be made of recycled cardboard. They should be painted with multiple coats of any indoor or exterior latex house paint. Decorations may be removed after judging, and prior to the race start. Participants who pre-register their boats by Saturday, July 30, will receive special early-bird pricing of $20 per boat. After that date, registration will increase to $30. Participants can also register the day of the event.

Participants should plan to paddle their boats from the starting point on the Nanticoke River, approximately 100 yards for adults, and 50 yards for children, to the regatta finish line. First place awards will be given for winners of races in five categories: individual, youth, teens, family, and organizations or businesses. Special awards will be given for “Pride of the Fleet,” “Most Whimsical Boat,” and “Team Spirit.” Also, spectators will be asked to pick a “People’s Choice” award winner, while a special “Titanic Award” will be given for the “Most Dramatic Sinking!”

Participants also are encouraged to challenge others to race in the Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta for one-on-one bragging rights. After all boat races are completed, skippers of cardboard boats may challenge another skipper to a race. For a challenge race, both challengers pay a $5 fee.

During the event, attendees can learn about the Reclaim Our River (ROR) partnership and how to help protect Delaware’s waterways. The ROR-Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing events, workshops, and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

The ROR partnership also welcomes event sponsors, with proceeds going toward event costs, projects that improve water quality, and water quality education. Sponsorships begin at $50.

Registration, rules and other information about the Cardboard Boat Regatta is available at nanticokeriver.org/rcbr22. A video about the event including past regattas is posted on the @DelawareDNREC YouTube channel.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

Executive Order provides additional resources for town, residents

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Friday signed an Executive Order authorizing the Delaware National Guard to assist the Town of Blades with distributing water to residents impacted by high levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in municipal wells.

The Delaware National Guard has provided two, 400-gallon portable water tanks and coordinated troops to ensure 24-hour water distribution operations out of the Blades Fire Hall. Additionally, a 5,000-gallon water tanker is prepared and available for follow-up support.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) on Friday morning started to provide bottled water for drinking and cooking to residents of Blades.

Water will be supplied to the Town of Blades by DNREC, DPH, and the Delaware National Guard to ensure residents have access to potable water.

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The Executive Order is available here.

BLADES, Del. – The Third Annual Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta – presented by the Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in conjunction with DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Reclaim Our River Program (ROR), the Town of Blades, the Nanticoke River Sail & Power Squadron, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and the Nanticoke Yacht Club – cast off with great ceremony Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Nanticoke River Public Marine Park in Blades and finished as the most entertaining race yet in the increasingly popular event’s brief history.

A crowd of some 250 people gathered at the marina to see who built the fastest boat and more importantly, who among the boat builders were competing for the prestigious “Titanic Award.” The mood was light and festive on the hot sunny Saturday as the crowd waited for judging results and also to hear the winner of the “People’s Choice Award.” Spectators spent the morning visiting the ROR partners’ exhibits and enjoying food provided by the Blades United Methodist Church. The goal of the event was to provide a fun recreational activity that connects Sussex County residents with their waterways, while providing important information on how to protect Delaware’s aquatic resources.

The Recycled Cardboard Boat Regatta was open to anyone who could build a boat from recycled cardboard and paddle it approximately 200 yards from the race start to the regatta finish line. First-place awards were given for winners of races in four different categories: individual, family, clubs and businesses, and non-profits and government organizations.

Awards winners were:

• Best Decorated Boat – 82 Marine 1 – sponsored by the Lewes Fire Company and captained by Sara Esposito
• Best Team Effort – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Most Whimsical – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Pride of the Fleet – 82 Marine 1 – sponsored by the Lewes Fire Company and captained by Sara Esposito
• People’s Choice – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Titanic Award – Ravenger – sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 182 and captained by James & Avery Stroup
• Individual Race Winner – Hibiki – Captained by Troy Julian
• Family Race Winner – 82 Marine 1 – sponsored by the Lewes Fire Company and Captained by Sara Esposito
• Non Profits/Government – Swamp Monster – sponsored by Trap Pond State Park and captained by Courtney Betts
• Businesses/Clubs – The Johnny – Sponsored by Johnny Janosik Furniture and captained by Ken Everline

Judging was by Gallery 107, the Nanticoke River Arts Council. Sponsors of the event include Mow-N-Trim, Peninsula Oil and the Nanticoke River Yacht Club. A special thanks was given to the rescue boat volunteers.

Photos of the event can be found on flickr. More information on the Cardboard Boat Regatta is available at www.delawarewatersheds.org, or by contacting Phil Miller or 302-290-3578.

The 2016 Promo Video of past Recycled Cardboard Boat Regattas can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDqFDY7eQWU

The Reclaim Our River – Nanticoke Series is devoted to bringing monthly events, workshops and recreational activities to the Nanticoke Watershed. The series offers participants fun opportunities to connect with Delaware’s waterways and provides important information on water quality that can help in protecting aquatic resources.

CONTACT: Philip Miller, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship, 302-672-1149

Vol. 46, No. 298

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